Prices of raw materials fell on global economic concerns (AP)

Commodity prices were mostly lower Friday as investors looked for clues on whether reserves the release of emergency oil will help economic growth.

Most metals, corn, wheat and soybeans settled lower on Friday. Rose, but other energy products were mixed.

Many investors are waiting for a clearer picture of how the economy will perform over the coming months. The focus is on oil and the decision of the International Energy Agency 28-nation to release 60 million barrels of crude oil from the emergency stocks if will lower prices.

"I think this is just reflective of a new level of caution on all raw, type of entry to the edge, until we can reassess the lower oil prices are going to help to restart the economy," said Richard Feltes, vice president of research at r.j. O'Brien & associates.

There were signs this week of economic downturn in the US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke warned that some problems, such as the weak property market, may persist into next year.

Investors also have concerns about Europe's financial problems. A plan to help Greece with its debt crisis was offset by news that Moody's Investors Service's said it could downgrade the credit ratings of some Italian banks.

In energy trading, benchmark crude for August delivery rose 14 cents to settle at $ 91.16 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

In other Nymex contracts, heating oil dropped 3.05 cents to settle at $ 2.7689 per gallon, gasoline dropped 6.05 cents to $ 2.7159 per gallon and natural gas rose 3.6 cents per $4,229 for 1,000 cubic feet.

In contracts of metals, gold for August delivery fell $19,60 Friday to settle at $ 1, $ 500.90 per ounce. Silver July fell 36.4 cents to settle at $ 34,638 per ounce.

July copper rose 5.95 cents to settle at $ 4.0985 a pound and July platinum fell $ 1, 677.60 $ 16.90 an ounce. Palladium in September fell to $ 11.85 $ 731.50 an ounce.

Cereals and beans were lower. September wheat dropped 8.25 cents to settle at $ 6.61 bushel. December corn dropped 14 cents to settle at $ 6.32 bushel. November soybeans fell 8 cents to $ 13.0925 a bushel.

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